President's Message

Lori Brittingham, MSN RN CNS AACNS-N

As a young neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse, my desire to make a difference coupled with the encouragement of colleagues and respected leaders steered me toward volunteer positions within my local NANN chapter and eventually at the national level. In 2005, I was asked to serve on the Advanced Competency in Developmental Care taskforce (now the NANN Developmental Care Specialist Designation). While serving in this capacity, I was very fortunate to work alongside experts in the field who encouraged my growth and made me feel that my contributions were valued. That was the start of my NANN journey, and over the years, I have served on a number of committees and taskforces, and eventually the board of directors.

Serving as a NANN volunteer has afforded me the opportunity to grow professionally, as well as to influence the care that our patients and families receive and to shape neonatal nursing in this ever-changing healthcare environment. I am thankful to those who encouraged me and instilled in me the confidence to pursue leadership positions within NANN and ultimately to run for president. I am hopeful that my journey will inspire you to take the next step by considering what role you might play in NANN’s future.

NANN is a volunteer organization that would not exist without the contributions of our many volunteers. I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who offer their time, expertise, and passion, and to encourage all members to consider the current volunteer opportunities that exist within NANN. Our association’s strength derives from our community of exceptional nurses and we rely on our members to shape our future direction.

NANN’s annual Call for Volunteers will close on June 9, 2017. Open positions can be found on NANN’s website and in the Association News section of this newsletter. If you are considering one of these opportunities and have questions, or are a bit reluctant, please reach out to the NANN staff or a current member of the NANN Board of Directors or NANNP Council. We would love to talk with you!

Additionally, elections for open positions on the NANN Board of Directors and the NANNP Council will be commencing shortly. As members, we can vote with confidence knowing that this year’s Nominations Committee has ensured the slate of candidates possess the necessary capabilities to guide us effectively. Thank you in advance for participating in this important decision. Selecting our next group of leaders is the first step in building our future!